Friday Fare is where I post links to the random articles that have resonated with me during the week. Sometimes they make me smarter, sometimes they make me hungry … sometimes they have to do with writing and sometimes they are just plain random.
I’ve had a hell of a hard time adulting lately. Not sure if it’s been the endless rain, still recovering from my weekend at the Writers’ Police Academy (WPA), or what’s going on, but I’m ready for fall. I’m ready for jeans, my favorite hoodie, toasted graham lattes from Starbucks, etc.
Without further ado – the interwebs have been full of good stuff lately. In no particular order:
I was a proud Kickstarter supporter of Jessica Lourey’s novel “The Catalain Book of Secrets.” Ms. Lourey taught a class at the first writer’s convention I attended and I appreciated her insights. Recently, she gave a TEDx Talk on using fiction to rewrite your life. This video is about 13 minutes long and well worth a watch. I was gobsmacked at the amount of grace that Jessie brought to her audience and blessed by the levity and humor she brought to her personal story. Seriously – 13 minutes. Coffee break.
Speaking of people named Jessica … my WPA roomie and sister-in-arms Jessica Ellis Laine wrote her Top 10 list for why she loved the 2016 WPA. And crazy story … there’s a darkened picture at the end of the post. There’s this lady who looks like me, but she’s dancing. Since I’m the boring-est person in the world, that’s likely my evil doppelganger.
Rick Astley talked to Rolling Stone about the benefits of “rickrolling.” Seriously. A) The man talked about rickrolling. B) He wasn’t a dick about his past as a 1980s heartthrob. The interview revealed an amazingly gracious man who embraces his footnote in pop culture history. It’s a good read.
I’m not saying that this is a contrast, but when it comes to people who are “uncomfortable” with the past, my favorite Monkee is famously prickly about his role in the US version of the Fab 4. But … this article (also from Rolling Stone) talks to the three surviving members of The Monkees and goes through their musical history in 15 songs. Considering that their catalog goes back 5o years (and includes songs from Neil Diamond, Carole King, and Harry Nilsson) it’s not a bad look back.
***
Listening to: Recently discovered Lord Huron. There is some good stuff to be heard here.
Reading: I’m currently trying to read an overdue copy of Sarah Fine’s “Fractured.” (YA novel, second in a series, the first was very good but I’m having attention span issues [see intro note about “adulting.”].) I finished reading a draft copy of Jerry Johnson‘s upcoming novel. (And that. was. GOOOOOOD. Should be out in October.)
Fiction Update: Shhhhh … shh … shh! After Life (AL) is currently resting and getting ready for the next round of edits. More about that in an upcoming blog. The next round of edits will commence on October 1st! In the meantime, I have a lot of books I want to catch up on. Some involve craft, some are just good fiction. All good stuff for the brain!
Enjoy the weekend!
michellekubitz 